Robbie and the Robots will be at the Gray Horse Saloon on Saturday night.

BY HAP MANSFIELD
Scene Editor

Now, before you start whining about how Valentine’s Day is just another ploy by card, candy and flower businesses to sell a bunch of stuff, consider this: one nice valentine is like a “Get out of jail free” card in a relationship. Don’t tell us you don’t need one of those.

In fact, we suspect it isn’t a woman’s holiday at all. Consider this: when Valentine’s Day was first commercialized, who do you think owned those businesses? Women? Not likely. While it’s true that a woman, Esther Howard, developed the first commercial valentines in the late 1800s, she did it for her father’s store.

The profits of Valentine’s Day lay squarely with men, and Hallmark CEO Donald J. Hall, Russell Stover CEO Thomas J. Ward and Teleflora’s CEO Phil Kleweno are not the only men who profit from it. Any man who gives a valentine gains for himself a little slack with his spouse, girlfriend or loved one.

Of course, we also suspect there was a big meeting of the highly secret and well-guarded Man Club, where the members were told to whine about the day and make it seem especially nice that they remembered it.

We’re on to you guys. And we still expect the roses and chocolates. So, everybody wins.

Everybody wins, too, if they are looking for something to do this weekend. Here are just a few suggestions.

Friday, February 11

Mashed Potato Johnson starts off the music at the Triple Crown (206 North Edward Gary Street) at 6 p.m. When that Ace Pepper starts up on the lap steel, you’ll want to be there to hear it. He’s darn good. The whole band, based right here in San Marcos, is a pleasure.

Kevin Ayesh will give a piano concert in the music building recital hall at Texas State at 6 p.m. Ayesh is a prize winning pianist who is a guest artist at Texas State. The concert sponsored by the university’s school of music is $5 general admission and $3 for students and senior citizens.

The Brauntex Theatre (290 West San Antonio Street, New Braunfels) will showcase the music of the ’50s and ’60s with Shake, Rattle and Roll, an all-female band from East Texas that won a big Doo Wop contest in Las Vegas. The group’s show is filled with comedy, synchronized moves and even hula hooping skills. The shakin’ starts rolling at 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased by calling (830) 627-0808. Tickets may also be purchased one hour before show time at the box office.

The Emily Ann Studio Theatre (1101 RR 2325) will present, at 7:30 p.m. the musical “Why Do Fools Fall in Love?” which certainly seems appropriate for the upcoming holiday. The play uses ’60s tunes to illustrate different facets in the lives of four women. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry. Tickets are $15 general admission, $10 for students.

Texas State’s very exciting Orchesis Dance Company will perform tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Evans Auditorium on the campus of Texas State. Each year, “Dancers in Flight,” sponsored by Texas State’s Department of Theatre and Dance, features Orchesis in an eclectic mix of choreography and performances. Special guest artist choreography will be showcased, as well. General admission is $10, cash only, at the door. Admission is $5 for Texas State students.

The Gray Horse Saloon (1904 RR 12) features a double bill with Sidereal and the StandOuts starting at 8 p.m. Should be a standout gig with the stars. The popular Joel Hoffman band will be at Riley’s Tavern (8894 FM 1102) tonight at 9 p.m.

On its Facebook page, Deadman has a recipe for skillet chili calling for a whole can of chipotle peppers in adobo and a bottle of Sam Adams Winter Lager. It sounds nourishing and hot and delicious, just like the band’s music. The chili you’ll have to make on your own, but you can see Deadman tonight at the Cheatham Street Warehouse at 10:30 p.m. The always enjoyable Halleyanna Band opens at 9 p.m.

The one man musical wrecking crew known as Scott Biram will be at the Triple Crown tonight. If you’ve never seen Biram, you really should check him out. There’s just no one quite like him. He’ll tear the roof off the place all by himself.

Saturday, February 12

As you are going out and about today, don’t forget to pick up some delicious chocolate covered strawberries for your loved one for Valentine’s Day. Or just get the delicious treats and eat them yourself. This has been a cold winter and a fresh strawberry would be a mighty welcome thing, especially with nature’s most perfect food, chocolate. (Okay, it’s not perfect. It could use the addition of caramel or marshmallow or strawberries.) True Vineyard Ministries will sell the delectable treats at several locations from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. today.

Locations for the strawberries include First United Methodist Church, Victory Cleaners, Sam’s Wholesale Club, Central Texas Medical Center, Wal-Mart, B&J Pharmacy, and The Vineyard Marketplace (317 West San Antonio Street). The proceeds go towards the Vineyard’s work with Rwandan widows and children, so you’ll be doing a sweet thing as you get sweets for your sweet.

The New Braunfels Civic Center (375 South Castell Avenue) will feature the 19th annual Hill Country Doll Show and Sale today starting at 9 a.m. It’s the largest doll show in Texas with 75 dealers displaying everything from antique to modern dolls. The show includes miniatures, bears, supplies, books and doll repair. There will be door prizes, too. Parking is free.

If you’re in New Braunfels, you might want to stop at the Farm to Market (148 South Castell Avenue). This Saturday they will have free yoga classes on site, in addition to vendors of crafts and produce. Go at 9 a.m. for a class for experienced yoga students or at 10 a.m. for first time students or beginners.

Every Saturday at 11a.m. and at 1 p.m., the Old Oaks Ranch (601 Old Oaks Ranch Road in Wimberley) will offer ranch tours to visit their alpacas, see their sculptures and more. Phone (512) 847-8784 for more info, or visit www.theoldoaksranch.com.

The CommUnity Resale Fashion Show (1024B San Antonio Street in New Braunfels) will feature savings throughout the resale shop in addition to the fashion show at 10:30 a.m. The proceeds of the shop support Communities in Schools of South Central Texas.

At 6 p.m. tonight, Bent Tree Gallery (101 Henson, Wimberley on the square) will feature artworks by local artists and will have wine, appetizers, and chocolates in the bargain. Bent Tree also has photography, sculpture and jewelry.

“Why Do Fools Fall In Love?” is the latest production at the EmilyAnn Studio Theatre. Directed by Texas State grad Bridget Farias, the play is a look at four women’s lives with a soundtrack of ’60s songs. The curtain rises at 7:30 p.m.

The Gray Horse Saloon features the funky jams of Achachay! and the smooth pop grooves of Robbie and the Robots tonight, starting at 8 p.m. Robbie and the Robots always play a solid set and they are loads of fun to hear. It’s a standout gig loaded with talent. No cover.

Michael Holt is a third generation Texan, so he’s got music in his blood, like we suspect most Texans do. So, when Michael Holt and the Trophy 500s play roadhouse, they’ve got more than a touch of Texas blues in their tunes. You can hear their mix of big band swinging road house blues at Riley’s Tavern tonight. Prepare to dance.

Austin-based singer songwriter Aaron Einhouse will be at the Cheatham Street Warehouse tonight. His songwriting skills are well honed and his band plays mighty sweet accompaniment. Their debut album “Off the Edge” has gotten great reviews, too. Ashley Monical opens.

Tom Gilliam will celebrate his birthday at the Phoenix Saloon (193 West San Antonio Street, New Braunfels) with a gig of large country rock. Cover is only $5. Should be a party.

The Triple Crown will be filled to the brim with the musical talents of Disfigured, Prolicide, Architect of the Unworthy and Cerebral Desecration. You’ll need ear plugs tonight and an appetite for destruction. The place may explode.

Sunday, February 13

Gruene Hall will have a Sweethearts Gospel Brunch with a Texas Twist. Buckner Fanning will probably be there, and there will be the usual table-so-full-it’s-groaning smorgasbord of food from the Gristmill River Restaurant. Advanced tickets are advised and available at www.gruenhall.com.

You get one more chance to see the EmilyAnn Studio Theatre answer the musical question “Why Do Fools Fall in Love?” at 2 p.m. today. The musical is full of ’60s music, fun and pathos.

The Cheatham Street Warehouse will stage a medical benefit today for Rick Crow with Junior Brown, Alvin Crow and much more. A donation will be taken at the door.

If you are lamenting the loss of football after last Sunday’s Super Bowl, you can still get some football watching pleasure today in the San Marcos Farmer’s Market Parking Lot (204 South Edward Gary) for a big double-header with the Unicycle Football League. The Gnarwahls play the ILLeagles at 2 p.m. and Hell on Wheel plays the Berzerkerz at 4 p.m. An added plus? You won’t have to put up with any nonsense from sportscasters about Aaron Rogers being the next John Elway.

If you would like to win a Grammy, you’ll need to practice. The mics are open tonight at the Triple Crown and Riley’s to get you started. You could just warm up your voice with a little karaoke at the Gray Horse Saloon, if you’d rather.

You could just stay home and watch the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards on CBS at 7 p.m. Dr. Dre will make his first Grammy appearance and Bob Dylan will lead a special acoustic salute. Here’s a blast from your arty past — performance artist Laurie Anderson is up for a Grammy. Of course, there will be the usual shenanigans with Lady Gaga and Lady Antebellum. Justin Bieber will perform with Usher. Barbara Streisand will be there, introduced by Kris Kristofferson. There may be Jim Henson puppets and Gywneth Paltrow and Clay Matthews. Bruno Mars is up for seven Grammys. He’s almost sure to get at least one. Same for Eminem who’s, up for ten of them. Neil Patrick Harris will be there — if he’d perform as Dr. Horrible, we’d watch it for sure.

Adam Sandler is charming in the movie “Bedtime Stories” showing on TBS tonight at 8 p.m. The stories he tells come to life with some great special effects.

If you’d rather see stars with English accents give long thank-you speeches, the British Academy Film Awards are on BBC America tonight.